COVID Affects NZ’s Exports to Fijian Market
New Zealand exported around $2.2 billion into the Pacific each year and Fiji had traditionally accounted for around onethird of that. Now it has taken quite a big hit because of COVID-19.
This was highlighted by the New Zealand Trade Commissioner to the Pacific, David Dewar during a cocktail event hosted by the FijiNew Zealand Business Council at Paradiso Restaurant in Suva on Thursday.
Mr Dewar said prior to the pandemic, it was about $1.1 billion in two-way trade which has now taken a hit down to about $550 million.
He said Fiji was New Zealand’s number one trading partner in the Pacific.
“As Fiji started to open up to the world, there were more interests from New Zealand companies. With opportunities here in Fiji and reinvigorating their trade many had been trading throughout the pandemic.
“Since last week alone, after the Government’s announcement of Fiji opening up, I have had inquiries from around 15 to 20 companies looking to get over here as soon as they can to look at the opportunities and to reinvigorate their business. So I think there’s a huge opportunity to grow that trade between New Zealand and Fiji,” Mr Dewar said.
“Prior to the pandemic, New Zealand traded with Fiji more than it did with France, because it is a massive sophisticated economy.
“There’s a whole supply chain and a value chain of New Zealand businesses that partner with Fijian businesses to deliver goods and products and services throughout the economy so it’s a very diverse
market, and so it’s all across the board.”
Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation chief executive officer Kameli Batiweti said Fiji made 33 per cent of New Zealand’s total trade portfolio.
“Fiji is key to New Zealand businesses and so is the New Zealand business is key to the Fijian businesses,” he added.
“The members of the Federation are very excited as guests arrive, it would open up greater opportunities
for Fijian businesses.”
Fiji-NZ Business Council president Vinay Narsey said the restarting of trade would mean more production, new opportunities for a lot of business houses in Fiji.
“Pre-COVID, it was a global environment as a lot of travel and interactions had taken place. It might not return to pre-COVID levels but you might have a lot more interactions than what it was over the last two years,” said.
“The business council is there as a support network between the Trade Commission and the Fijian businesses.”
New Zealand Trade Commission is New Zealand Government’s International Business Development Agency working with around 5000 New Zealand exporting companies, helping them grow the capability and the connections in offshore markets.